Carina Garland (Chisholm, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Can the Prime Minister provide an update on conflict in the Middle East and its implications for Australians?

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Chisholm for her question. The Australian government continues to work around the clock to support Australians who are affected by the ongoing war in the Middle East. Our first priority, as always, is to keep Australians safe and to get help to Australians who need it.

I can confirm that, as of a little while ago, more than 3,600 Australians have returned on 26 flights, with further flights scheduled today and in coming days. The vast majority of Australians who were stranded while transiting through the Middle East have now made it home. Of course, many Australians will choose to stay where they work and live, in places like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Commercial flights are still the safest way for Australians to return, and I again reiterate that, if people are offered seats on those commercial flights and they wish to return home, they should take them. They should take up the opportunities. Crisis support teams are on the ground in the region and consular support remains available.

As we committed to earlier this week, the Australian Defence Force is preparing the deployment of an E-7A Wedgetail aircraft to the gulf, and a quantity of AMRAAMs will also be provided. These are important defensive weapons against Iran's unprovoked attacks against countries such as the UAE. This supports the defence of gulf nations and contributes to the safety of civilians in the region, of course including the 24,000 Australians who are in the UAE.

But the situation in the Middle East remains volatile and unpredictable. It is a dangerous situation, and we're seeing the impacts of the conflict right around the world. I again reiterate the Australian government's demand on Iran to cease all of these attacks and our call for de-escalation. Our priority, as always, is supporting Australians, keeping them safe and working in the national interest. We'll do that each and every day for as long as it is required.